Slide changer

ABSTRACT

A slide changer especially adapted for handling forms slides in computer output microfilming equipment is disclosed. A MAGAZINE HOLDS A PLURALITY OF SLIDES IN FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL GROOVES ON INNER MAGAZINE WALLS. An actuating bar adjacent to the magazine engages a selected slide to move the slide out of the magazine into a projection station. The actuating bar latches to the slide in a ball-and-socket manner as the slide is fully inserted into the projection station. After use, the bar moves the slide back into the magazine and automatically disengages from the slide. Each slide is provided with integral spring guide members formed in the slideframe along one edge, which comprise outwardly extending projections with slots parallel to the slide edge behind each projection. The magazine is movable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the slides so that different slides may be selected.

United States Patent JMarch 20, 1973 Stine SLIDE CHANGER [75] Inventor:Richard L. Stine, Cardiff-by-the- Sea, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Stromberg DatagraphiX, Inc., San

Diego, Calif.

[22] Filed: Jan. 15,1971

[21] Appl.No.: 106,829

[52] U.S.Cl. ..353/l03 [51] Int. Cl. ..G03b 23/00 [58] Field of Search..353/103, 111,114-118; 40/36, 79

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,469,513 9/1969 Hansen..353/118 2,940,197 6/1960 Jorgensen ..353/118 3,480,356 11/1969Dimitracopoulus ..353/118 3,044,198 7/1962 Badalich ..40/79 PrimaryExaminer-Harry N. Haroian Assistant ExaminerA. J. Mirabito Attorney-JohnR. Duncan 57 ABSTRACT A slide changer especially adapted for handlingforms slides in computer output microfilming equipment is disclosed. Amagazine holds a plurality of slides in frictional engagement withsubstantially parallel grooves on inner magazine walls. An actuating baradjacent to the magazine engages a selected slide to move the slide outof the magazine into a projection station. The actuating bar latches tothe slide in a balland-socket manner as the slide is fully inserted intothe projection station. After use, the bar moves the slide back into themagazine and automatically disengages from the slide. Each slide isprovided with integral spring guide members formed in the slidefram ealong one edge, which comprise outwardly extending projections withslots parallel to the slide edge behind each projection. The magazine ismovable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the slides so thatdifferent slides may be selected.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEUmzoms SHEET l'DF 4 405.200 wma.

F GE

ATTORNEY PATENTEDHARZOIHR SHEET 30F 4 INVENTOR.

RICHARD L. STINE ATTORNEY .gPMENTEDmm201g73 3.721.494

VSHEETHIDF 4' I 96 15 56 I /03 a v 38% i y I 178 Sig ' FIG. 4

RICHARD L. SITINE ATTORNEY SLIDE CHANGER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMultiple-slide magazines from which individual slides may be easilyselected for viewing or projection and equipment for handling the slideshave come into widespread use. Most are designed for use with 35mm orsimilar color transparencies, and function with projectors whichsequentially remove slides from the magazine, project them on a viewingscreen and return them to the magazine.

Recently, computer output microfilming equipment has been developed inwhich alphanumeric or graphical information presented on the face of acathode ray tube is photographed to produce microimages. This equipmentoperates at high speed and provides computer generated information in aconvenient, easily handled and stored, arrangement. Often, it isdesirable to print the text on the microfilm in a format which includesa background form, such as columns with headings and lines betweencolumns. Forms projectors have been developed permitting a form image tobe projected onto the film simultaneously with the photography of thetube face. However, it has been necessary to change the forms slidesmanually. This is undesirable, since an operator must interrupt themicrofilm printer for a time sufficient for the manual change of formsslides. This requires'an operator in constant attendance, besidesdecreasing machine throughput.

Slide changers of the type used in ordinary color transparencyprojectors cannot be conveniently adapted for use with such equipment.Such changers generally utilize a complex mechanical system for movingslides between magazine and projection stations. They are incapable ofthe exact positioning at the projection station required in systemsrequiring the superimposition of multiple images.

Present slide changers are incapable of effective random selection ofslides from a magazine, since the usual changers handle slides in afixed sequence. Also, many slide changing systems are incapable ofhandling the large, usually glass-mounted, slides used as form slides.

Thus, there is a continuing need for improved projection slide magazinesand changers, especially for use with computer output microfilmingequipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of this inventionto provide a slide handling system overcoming the above-noted problems.

Another object of this invention is to provide a slide changing systemsuitable for use with form slides in computer output microfilmingsystem.

Another object of this invention is to provide a slide changing systemof improved simplicity and reliability.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a slide changingsystem which locates slides at the projection station with uniformlyhigh precision.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a slide changingsystem which can quickly and precisely select any slide in a magazineand move it to the projection station.

The above objects, and others, are accomplished in accordance with thisinvention by a slide handling and changing system which includes amagazine for holding a plurality of slides, frames for each slideadapted to be carried by said magazine and a device for moving aselected slide from the magazine to a projection station. The slides arepreferably held by friction in grooves in the magazine which is in theform of a bottomless rectangular housing. Each slide frame has a socketalong the upper edge thereof. The slide moving device includes a barwhich has an expanded end which engages the frame socket, so that thebar can push the slide downwardly from the magazine into a projectionstation, then lift the slide back into the magazine after use. Eachslide is provided with integral spring guide members along one edge,which comprise outwardly extending projection with slots parallel to theslide edge behind each projection. The magazine is movable along a pathextending between the slide moving device and the projection station, sothat-any slide can be brought into position by engagement by the slidemoving device.

While the invention is described in this description of a preferredembodiment with the slide magazine above the projection station, othersuitable arrangements may be used, if desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Details of the invention, and of apreferred embodiment thereof, will be further understood upon referenceto the drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation as seen from the side, of theoverall system including the slide changing mechanism of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an isolated isometric view of the slide changing mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section through the slide changing mechanismtaken along line 3-3 showing a slide moving into projection position;

FIG. 4 is a transverse section through the slide changing mechanismtaken along line 3-3 showing a slide in the projection position, aboutto be returned to the magazine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1 there isseen a schematic elevation of a computer-output microfilm recorderincluding the novel form slide changing system. In this recorder,information displayed on the face of a cathode ray tube and projectedfrom form slide 12 are simultaneously photographed by camera 14. Apartially-reflecting beam-splitter 16 serves to combine the images fromtube 10 and slide 12 in register on the film in camera 14.

Alphanumeric information directly from a computer or from tape storageis displayed on the face of tube 10 under control of tube control means18 and passes to the film along light paths illustrated by typical lightray 19. Any suitable system may be used for forming characters on theface of tube 10. Typically, the characters may be formed from dots orline strokes generated by tube control 18. An especially effective tubefor this purpose is the shaped beam cathode ray tube, such as isdescribed in U. S. Pat. No. 2,761,988 to McNaney.

Static information, such as a business form, is photographedsimultaneously with the alphanumeric information from tube 10. The formis generally provided on form slide 18 as a transparent image on anopaque background. The form is projected to and imaged on the film incamera 14 by means of light source and optical system 22, along thelight path illustrated by typical light ray 23.

After a frame of film has been exposed to the form and the desiredalphanumeric information, the film is advanced to the next exposureposition under the control of camera control 24.

When it is desired to change the form, slide 12 is lifted from theprojection station back into magazine 26 by a vertically movable rackbar 28 engaging a pinion gear driven by motor 30. Rack bar 28 extendsdownwardly through magazine 26 and connects to slide 12 by aball-and-socket latching means described in detail below. When slide 12is fully within magazine 26, rack bar 28 automatically disengages fromslide 12. Magazine 26 is then moved in a direction perpendicular to theplane of the slides (as indicated by arrow 32) by a rack and pinionmeans driven by motor 36 until the desired slide to be used next islocated directly below rack bar 28 which is now entirely above magazine26. Magazine control 34 then activates motor 30 to move rack bar 28downwardly to push the selected slide down into the projection stationadjacent optical system 22.

As can be seen from this schematic illustration, the novel slidechanging system permits rapid, simple selection and handling of formslides. While this slide changing system is especially useful in theoverall system shown in FIG. 1, it could, of course, be used in otherarrangements where it is desired to select and utilize slides in anirregular sequence.

Further details of the invention, and a preferred embodiment thereof,will be made clear upon reference to FIG. 2, which shows an isometricview of the slide changing mechanism of this invention. While allessential components are shown in FIG. 2, some supporting structure andassociated devices are not illustrated, for clarity. The structure shownis suitable for use in a system such as that schematically illustratedin FIG. 1, with the projection station directly below the magazine.

The slide changer is mounted on vertical plate 38 which also serves as asupport for the optical projection system (not shown) located below theslide changer. Plate 38 is mounted on the main equipment frame 40. Frame40 supports an end enclosure 42 which has an opening 44 through whichthe slide change projects. A panel 46 closes the front of the equipment.

A magazine 26, adapted to hold a plurality of slides 12, is held incontact with plate 48 by spring clips 50 at each end of magazine 26.Plate 48 is fastened to upper and lower guide sleeves 52 and 54 (as seenin FIGS. 3 and 4) which slidably engage upper and lower shafts 56 and58, respectively. The ends of shafts 56 and 58 are secured to inner andouter mounting plates 60 and 62, which are fastened to backing plate 64which is in turn secured to plate 38. Rack support member 66 is securedto plate 48 and the upper guide sleeve 52. Rack 68 is mounted on member66 and meshes with a pinion gear (not shown) driven by motor 36. Whenmotor 36 is activated the pinion drives rack 68 to move magazine 26 backand forth parallel to shafts 56 and 58.

Magazine 26 may be removed and replaced by moving the magazine 26 andsupport plate 48 toward plate 62 until the inner end of magazine 26clears end enclosure 42, then moving spring clips 50 out of engagementwith the magazine and sliding the magazine perpendicularly away fromplate 48. Cooperating lands and grooves between the ends of magazine 26and the inner surface of frame members 70 aid in supporting the magazineand in guiding it into and out of the mounted position.

Magazine 26 holds a plurality of slides 12. Only a single slide is shownin FIG. 2, for clarity. Each slide 12 is held in position by frictionalengagement with grooves in the inner walls of magazine 26. This permitsthe slides to be pushed downwardly out of magazine 26 into a projectionstation (not shown) below magazine In use, a slide to be projected islocated immediately below slide drive rack bar 28 by operating motor 36to move magazine 26. Slide drive rack bar 28 engages a pinion gear 72which is rotated by motor 30 to drive rack bar 28 upwardly ordownwardly, as desired. Guide members 74 and 76 support rack 28 forvertical movement.

As best seen in FIG. 3, when rack bar 28 is driven downwardly, slide 12is pushed down and out of magazine 26 and into projection station 78.Projection station 78 includes a pair of grooved guide members 80 and 82which engage the edges of slide 12, and a registration stop 84 againstwhich slide 12 is finally positioned. Guides 80 and 82 and stop 84cooperate to very accurately position the slide for projection, so thatthe projected image is in very accurate registration with superimposeddata.

Projection 86 on the lower end of rack bar 28 has a generallycylindrical cross-section. Projection 86 engages a generally cylindricalsocket 88 on the upper edge of slide 12. Projection 86 snaps" intosocket 88 when pressed thereagainst with sufficient force. As slide 12is pushed out as indicated by arrow 90 of magazine 26, the force isgenerally insufficient to cause the projection to snap into the socket.However, when slide 12 comes into contact with registration stop 84,

the continued driving force of motor 30 will force projection 86 intosocket 88. This will also insure that slide 12 is in good, exact,contact with stop 84 and, therefore, in proper projection position.

While in the embodiment shown in the drawing, the projection 86 is shownformed on the end of rack bar 28, and socket 88 is shown on the edge ofslide 12, these positions could be reversed, if desired, with socket 88on rack bar 28 and projection 86 on slide edge 12. Also, while thecylindrical projection and socket arrangement is preferred, since itallows for slight misalignment between rack bar 28 and slide 12 in adirection perpendicular to the plane of slide 12, any other suitableconfiguration may be used, if desired. Typically a round ball-and-socketarrangement could be used, if desired.

Any suitable means may be used to stop motor 30 during projection. Forexample, limit switches of the snap action micro-switch or of thephotoelectric detector type may be used. Or, motor 30 may be connectedto the respective pinion gear 72 through a slip clutch which permits themotor to run for a short time after the rack movement limiting stop hasbeen reached, after which a timing means deactivates the motor. Suchconventional movement limiting devices may be used to limit the verticalmovement of rack bar 28 and the horizontal movement along rack 68, asdesired.

As discussed above, it is very important that every slide be located inthe same position in projection station 78 during projection so that theprojected image will be in register with other images with which it iscombined. Spring means are provided along one edge of the slide toassure proper registration.

Integral spring projections 100 and 101 are provided in the edge ofslide frame 12. Elongated slots 103 and 104 are provided behindprojection 100 and 101, respectively, to give the desired springaction.'As the slide 12 enters groove 80, these springs will be slightlycompressed. This force will keep the opposite edge of frame 12 inintimate contact with groove 80. While rounded projections 100 and 101are illustrated, these may have flattened contact surfaces, if desired.While two projections are shown, any suitable number may be used.Although a straight edge is shown on slide frame 12 opposite theprojections, a plurality of spaced rigid projections may be used todecrease frictional drag between the slide and groove 82 as the slide ismoved into and out of projection station 78.

When slide frame 12 is returned to magazine 26, projections 100 andenter groove 105 in magazine 26, and the opposite edge enters groove106. It is preferred that detents or cavities 107 and 108 having shapescorresponding to projections 100 and 101 be provided in groove 105, sothat the projections can drop into them when the slide is fully insertedinto the magazine. This will help hold the slides in the magazine andwill prevent excessive outward forces being imposed on the wall ofmagazine 26 should a number of slides be placed in the magazine.Without'cavities 107 and 108, the projections on each of a number ofslides would be pressing against the groove walls, which would causebowing of the magazine wall.

When it is desired to change the slide in projection station 78 as shownin FIG. 4, motor 30 is operated in the reverse direction to move rackbar 28 upwardly. Projection 86 engaged in socket 88 lifts slide 12 backup into magazine 26 as indicated by arrow 92. When slide 12 is fullywithin the magazine, the slide encounters stop 94 at the upper end ofthe wall of magazine 26. As motor 30 continues to operate, projection 86is snapped out of socket 88. Motor 36 is then operated to move magazine26 until the desired slide is below projection 86. Motor 36 is stoppedand the newly selected slide is pushed downwardly from magazine 26 toprojection station 78 as described above.

Stop 94 on the wall of magazine 26 cooperates with a notch 96 in the topedge of slide 12 to assure that slides are loaded correctly intomagazine 26. With this stop 94, if the slide is inserted in reverse, theunnotched edge will contact stop 94 and prevent full insertion of slide12 into magazine 26. An operator can readily observe incorrectlyinserted slides extending below the lower surface of magazine 26.

Other modifications and applications of the present invention will occurto those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure. These areintended to be included within the scope of the invention, as defined inthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. A slide changing system which comprises:

a. a slide magazine adapted to releasably hold a plurality of slides, b.a projection station adjacent to said magazine, c. magazine drive meansto move said magazine to bring a selected one of said slides intoalignment with said projection station, slide drive means to move saidselected slide from said magazine to said projection station, said slidedrive means comprises a bar lying in the plane of said selected slide,longitudinally movable into contact with an edge of said slide to pushsaid slide out of said magazine into said projection station,

e. releasable pressure latch means, a first part of which is mounted onthe end of said bar which contacts said slide and the remaining part ofwhich is mounted on said slide edge at the point of contact with saidbar, the pressure exerted by said bar to move said slide toward saidprojection station being insufficient to latch said latch means,

f. slide registration means in said projection station to preventfurther movement of said slide when it reaches the desired projectionposition, the pressure of said bar against said slide when said slide isstopped being sufficient to actuate said latch means and releasablylatch said bar to said slide,

g. slide return means including means to longitudinally move said bar tomove said slide back into said magazine, and

h. disengagement means including means in said magazine to stop saidslide movement when said. slide has reached the desired position in saidmagazine and means to continue longitudinal movement of said bar toautomatically disengage said releasable pressure latch means.

2. The slide changing system according to claim 1 wherein saidreleasable pressure latch means includes a projection of enlargedcross-section on said bar and a socket corresponding to said projectionon said slide edge, in alignment with said projection whereby sufficientpressure of said bar against said slide edge will cause said projectionto enter said socket and become releasably trapped therein.

3. The slide changing system according to claim 2 wherein saidprojection has a substantially cylindrical cross-section, with thecenterline of said cylinder being substantially perpendicular to theplane of said slide, and said socket includes a bifurcated memberextending toward said projection, and partially surrounding a spacewhich is complementary to said projection.

4. The slide changing system according to claim 1 wherein saidreleasable pressure latch means includes a projection of enlargedcross-section on said slide edge and a socket corresponding to saidprojection on said bar, in alignment with said projection wherebysufficient pressure of said bar against said slide edge will cause saidprojection to enter said socket and become releasably trapped therein.

5. The slide changing system according to claim 4 wherein saidprojection has a substantially cylindrical cross-section, with thecenterline of said cylinder being substantially perpendicular to theplane of said slide, and said socket includes a bifurcated memberextending toward said projection, and partially surrounding a spacewhich is complementary to said projection.

6. The slide changing system according to claim 1 wherein said slidedrive means includes a rack portion on said bar in engagement with apinion gear rotatable to said projection, said slot being substantiallyto move the bar in either longitudinal direction. parallel to the edgeof said slide; said slot having a 7- A lid Changing system which oprises: length slightly longer than the length of said proa Slidemagazine adapted to releasably hold p jection along the slide edge;whereby spring action Yality of Slides in grooves in Opposite magazineresults so that said projection may be deflected walls slightly towardsaid slide as said slide moves within b. a projection station adjacentto said magazine having first and second grooves in opposed walls intowhich a selected slide is movable,

c. means to move a selected slide from said magazine 10 into saidgrooves in said projection station, and

d. at least one projection projecting outwardly from a first edge ofsaid slide in the plane of said slide and substantially perpendicular tothe line of slide movement between said magazine and said projectionstation; said projection adapted to slide in said first groove duringsaid movement; and an elongated slot formed in the edge of said slideadjacent said first and second grooves and the edge of said slideengaging said second groove is maintained in constant uniform contactwith said second groove. 8. The slide changing system according to claim7 wherein the grooves in said magazine include outwardly extendingcavities corresponding to the shape and position of said projectionswhen said slides are fully inserted in said magazine, whereby saidslides are held in said magazine without outward pressure on the wallsthereof.

1. A slide changing system which comprises: a. a slide magazine adaptedto releasably hold a plurality of slides, b. a projection stationadjacent to said magazine, c. magazine drive means to move said magazineto bring a selected one of said slides into alignment with saidprojection station, d. slide drive means to move said selected slidefrom said magazine to said projection station, said slide drive meanscomprises a bar lying in the plane of said selected slide,longitudinally movable into contact with an edge of said slide to pushsaid slide out of said magazine into said projection station, e.releasable pressure latch means, a first part of which is mounted on theend of said bar which contacts said slide and the remaining part ofwhich is mounted on said slide edge at the point of contact with saidbar, the pressure exerted by said bar to move said slide toward saidprojection station being insufficient to latch said latch means, f.slide registration means in said projection station to prevent furthermovement of said slide when it reaches the desired projection position,the pressure of said bar against said slide when said slide is stoppedbeing sufficient to actuate said latch means and releasably latch saidbar to said slide, g. slide return means including means tolongitudinally move said bar to move said slide back into said magazine,and h. disengagement means including means in said magazine to stop saidslide movement when said slide has reached the desired position in saidmagazine and means to continue longitudinal movement of said bar toautomatically disengage said releasable pressure latch means.
 2. Theslide changing system according to claim 1 wherein said releasablepressure latch means includes a projection of enlarged cross-section onsaid bar and a socket corresponding to said projection on said slideedge, in alignment with said projection whereby sufficient pressure ofsaid bar against said slide edge will cause said projection to entersaid socket and become releasably trapped therein.
 3. The slide changingsystem according to claim 2 wherein said projection has a substantiallycylindrical cross-section, with the centerline of said cylinder beingsubstantially perpendicular to the Plane of said slide, and said socketincludes a bifurcated member extending toward said projection, andpartially surrounding a space which is complementary to said projection.4. The slide changing system according to claim 1 wherein saidreleasable pressure latch means includes a projection of enlargedcross-section on said slide edge and a socket corresponding to saidprojection on said bar, in alignment with said projection wherebysufficient pressure of said bar against said slide edge will cause saidprojection to enter said socket and become releasably trapped therein.5. The slide changing system according to claim 4 wherein saidprojection has a substantially cylindrical cross-section, with thecenterline of said cylinder being substantially perpendicular to theplane of said slide, and said socket includes a bifurcated memberextending toward said projection, and partially surrounding a spacewhich is complementary to said projection.
 6. The slide changing systemaccording to claim 1 wherein said slide drive means includes a rackportion on said bar in engagement with a pinion gear rotatable to movethe bar in either longitudinal direction.
 7. A slide changing systemwhich comprises: a. a slide magazine adapted to releasably hold aplurality of slides in grooves in opposite magazine walls, b. aprojection station adjacent to said magazine having first and secondgrooves in opposed walls into which a selected slide is movable, c.means to move a selected slide from said magazine into said grooves insaid projection station, and d. at least one projection projectingoutwardly from a first edge of said slide in the plane of said slide andsubstantially perpendicular to the line of slide movement between saidmagazine and said projection station; said projection adapted to slidein said first groove during said movement; and an elongated slot formedin the edge of said slide adjacent to said projection, said slot beingsubstantially parallel to the edge of said slide; said slot having alength slightly longer than the length of said projection along theslide edge; whereby spring action results so that said projection may bedeflected slightly toward said slide as said slide moves within saidfirst and second grooves and the edge of said slide engaging said secondgroove is maintained in constant uniform contact with said secondgroove.
 8. The slide changing system according to claim 7 wherein thegrooves in said magazine include outwardly extending cavitiescorresponding to the shape and position of said projections when saidslides are fully inserted in said magazine, whereby said slides are heldin said magazine without outward pressure on the walls thereof.